Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Patricia Daiker, owner and founder of Better Diabetes Life, located in Coppell, TX, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I am the owner and founder of Better Diabetes Life. A company that provides support and services for all people living with diabetes. I am a Registered Nurse and one of just over 500 Board Certified Nurse Coaches. Nearly one-third of Americans have some form of diabetes, and that number is growing. My programs offer a holistic approach that includes all aspects of self - body/mind/spirit.

Just knowing what to do is not enough; for people to change their lifestyle, they need to understand what is keeping them from their best and tackle the root cause. Typically it is rooted in grief, fear, shame, and guilt, but no one helps you with that. Willpower is not a good long-term strategy, but that is pretty much what our medical systems offer with dismal results.

Tell us about yourself

I have been an RN since 1985 and developed Type 1 Diabetes in 1991. Despite my clinical knowledge and expertise, I still struggled. Medical facts just weren't enough. What I came to realize is that my coping skills were my problem. I avoided hard things, and diabetes really doesn't like being avoided! By working on new Life Skills, I was able to navigate the ups and downs of diabetes and stop hating myself for not being perfect. I found acceptance, and that is a place where real healing and health happen.

I started blogging and offering to tell people what I had discovered, and heads started nodding. "Yes! What you are saying is true, necessary, and sorely lacking". It is my joy when a client has an "Aha" moment! "That makes so much sense! OMG, no one told me that before! I didn't realize I was even thinking that way!" And from that day on, they are forever changed. You can never "unlearn" some of these skills. A shift happens, things get easier, and new ideas are birthed. They have arrived! Their health just got a little bit "Better." And we keep going from there.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Creating my online coaching program for sure!. I created the script, designed the storyboards, wrote the workbook, took some acting lessons, and stood in front of a camera so I could send this information beyond what I could do as an individual nurse coach. This content doesn't exist in healthcare, so many people just struggle, get frustrated, and give up.

The 5 Step Program is super easy! Just watch a video, follow along in the Coaching Workbook, and answer the questions. Clients can do this from the privacy of their homes, and "light bulb moments" happen. Many people are reluctant to seek help for their struggles, so a self-paced home study makes it very accessible. And for $60/month, it is much more affordable than one-on-one coaching.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

I think the biggest challenge I had to overcome was to trust myself more. Everyone has an opinion and is very happy to charge you a pretty penny for it. I spent quite a bit on different "experts" that really didn't understand my services or tried to change me into something that didn't feel authentic. If you feel it deep in your gut, trust your own instincts!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Make sure you are passionate about it. There will be ups and downs, and your internal drive and belief in yourself will be necessary to keep you motivated
  2. Don't hold on too tight. Life will throw you some curve balls. Learn from them. They are always an opportunity if you let them be.
  3. Avoid perfectionism. Some days "good enough" is what you need. Get the 90% solutions, then let your customers tell you where to go next. You never really know all you think you know.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I really think the next generation of wellness (not healthcare) is in the workplace. You spend maybe a few hours a year with a provider, but you are at work many days a week. Your life happens at work and home, not in a clinic. Diabetes impacts every business, and employers who understand the financial benefit of employees who actively manage their health and have the skills to manage life's challenges will have a strong advantage.

I am looking for a company that will partner with me to include my 5-Step Program in their wellness offering. It's a win-win. Employees don't have to pay for the service, and employers reduce the cost of diabetes in the workplace. Contact me if you are interested!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://betterdiabeteslife.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BetterDiabetesLife/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterdiabeteslife/
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3y8hAsX

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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